Newcastle v AC Milan LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Magpies crash out of Europe
Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan: The Magpies lose from a goal ahead to not only fail to reach the Champions League knockouts but miss out on Europa League football
Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to end Newcastle’s Champions League adventure as AC Milan fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 at St James’ Park.
On a night when both sides needed to win to stand any chance of progressing, goals from Christian Pulisic and Chukwueze handed the Serie A side a 2-1 victory which was not enough to prolong their involvement in the competition following a 1-1 draw between Borussia Dortmund and Paris St Germain in Germany.
Seven-time winners Milan at least have the consolation of a Europa League berth while Eddie Howe’s men, who took a 33rd-minute lead through Joelinton’s piledriver in front of a crowd of 52,037, slipped out of Europe altogether after finishing bottom of Group F in their first campaign since 2002-03.
Relive all the action below:
AC Milan team news
And here’s the AC Milan team. Plenty of familiar names in the side, including two Englishmen in the form of Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
A frontline of Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will be trying to unlock the Newcastle defence tonight.
Exhausted Newcastle must use wildcard factor to restore Champions League hopes
Newcastle will have to call upon every last ounce of energy from their battered and exhausted squad to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive with the visit of AC Milan.
Eddie Howe has named the same 10 outfield players in the line-up for all six matches played since November 25, and in the last two matches it has caught up with them. The team who had stunned Chelsea, battled against Manchester United and left France aggrieved with a point against Paris Saint Germain, had come undone on the road against Everton and Tottenham.
At least most of that same XI will likely have to dust themselves down, get out of the ice baths and prepare for another fraught 90 minutes – this time of Champions League football. Although Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff, who returned from injury to come off the bench at Spurs on Sunday could be pushing for starts and bring a renewed energy to the side.
Read Sonia Twigg’s full analysis of the Magpies’ situation:
Exhausted Newcastle must use wildcard factor to restore Champions League hopes
An injury-hit Newcastle must use the power of St James’ Park - and require a favour from Dortmund - if they are to reach the last-16
Newcastle team news
Newcastle have released their team to face AC Milan and finally they can make a change to the starting line-up that has begun six matches on the spin!
Callum Wilson is fit enough to start up front, with Alexander Isak dropping to the bench.
When is Champions League last-16 draw?
The last-ever Champions League group stage in this format is almost over and now attention turns to the knockouts.
Manchester United were the biggest casualties of the first phase and Erik ten Hag’s side finished bottom of Group A following a dismal campaign.
Holders Manchester City booked their place in the last 16 with a round to spare and will be joined in the knockout rounds by Arsenal, with the Gunners through to that stage of the competition for the first time since 2017.
Newcastle could yet join them – but Eddie Howe’s side need to beat AC Milan tonight and hope other results go their way to escape from the ‘group of death’.
While English teams cannot draw each other in the last 16, there are set to be some huge ties in the new year following the draw. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Champions League last-16 draw?
The Champions League last-16 will take place in February and March
What do Newcastle need to do to reach Champions League last 16?
Here’s what it’s all about tonight - the permutations! So, what do Newcastle need to do in order to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League?
Simply put - Newcastle must beat AC Milan and hope Paris Saint-Germain either draw or lose away to Borussia Dortmund, who are already through to the last 16. Any other result for Newcastle will not be enough to reach the knockouts.
PSG will be through to the last 16 with a win, or with a draw if the Magpies fail to win at St James’ Park. PSG will only go through with a defeat if AC Milan and Newcastle draw. Milan will qualify if they beat Newcastle and Dortmund beat PSG.
Newcastle will drop into the Europa League if they draw against Milan and finish level on points with the Italians.
Early team news
Newcastle welcomed back Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff in the defeat at Spurs, positive news after a rough run with injuries. Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes are among those still unavailable to Eddie Howe, while ex-Milan man Sandro Tonali is serving a long ban for breaching betting rules.
Rafael Leao could return to the AC Milan side after recovering from a thigh issue, but Stefano Pioli remains without a number of central defenders, leaving Theo Hernandez likely to partner Fikayo Tomori.
Predicted line-ups
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernandez, Florenzi; Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Musah; Chukwueze, Giroud, Leao
When is Newcastle vs AC Milan and how can I watch it?
When is Newcastle vs AC Milan?
Newcastle vs AC Milan is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 13 December at St James’ Park.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Everything you need to know about Newcastle vs AC Milan
Newcastle United and AC Milan meet hoping to steal second spot in Group F and progress to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
The two sides begin the final round of fixtures level on five points, two points Paris Saint-Germain.
The French capital club take on Borussia Dortmund in their final fixture, and a defeat or draw could open the door for one of Newcastle and Milan to advance.
Both sides were beaten in weekend league action, with Eddie Howe’s side thrashed by Tottenham and Milan denied a draw by a brilliant backheel winner from Atalanta’s Luis Muriel.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Newcastle United vs AC Milan on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Everything you need to know ahead of the Group F fixture
Newcastle vs AC Milan
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Newcastle vs AC Milan from St James’ Park. It’s a huge night for the Magpies as they try to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
To do so, they must overcome their injury woes to beat Milan, then rely on PSG also failing to beat Borussia Dortmund. It should be a fascinating evening – stick with us for full live coverage.
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